Tulsa @ Oklahoma preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 19, 2009 ) Tulsa 0, Oklahoma 45

THE STORY: No. 1 Oklahoma is loaded for another Big 12 title and national championship run, but begins the season shorthanded and with a heavy heart. Star senior linebacker Travis Lewis broke his foot in August and is out eight weeks. Austin Box, another senior starting linebacker, died in the off-season from an overdose of prescription pain killers. Tulsa has 18 starters back, including 10 from an offense that averaged 41.4 points last season. The Golden Hurricane also start the season at less than full strength. Star receiver Damaris Johnson, the NCAA’s career leader in all-purpose yards, was suspended indefinitely last week. Plus, Tulsa is breaking in new coach Bill Blankenship in a very difficult place to play. Oklahoma is 72-2 at home and 11-2 in season openers under coach Bob Stoops. The Sooners have won five straight against Tulsa by an average of 39.4 points.

TV: FX. LINE: Oklahoma -24.5

ABOUT OKLAHOMA (2010: 12-2, 7-2 Big 12): The senior quarterback-receiver combination of Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles highlights the Sooners’ fast-paced offensive attack. Oklahoma snapped the ball more often than any other team in the nation last season. The biggest question mark on the offense is who will replace DeMarco Murray’s production at running back. Sophomore Roy Finch and highly touted freshman Brandon Williams will get the bulk of the carries. Sophomore linebacker Corey Nelson steps in for Lewis and will need to play well on a defense that was inconsistent last year, but has plenty of NFL talent.

ABOUT TULSA (2010: 10-3, 6-2 C-USA): Blankenship spent the past 22 seasons coaching high school football in Oklahoma, the majority at national power Tulsa Union. He has never coached at the collegiate level. Blankenship inherits a seasoned team, led by prolific passer G.J. Kinne. The Hurricane’s defensive front features three first-year starters, who will have their hands full with Oklahoma’s physical and experienced offensive line.

EXTRA POINTS

1. One Oklahoma defensive player will wear Box’s No. 12 in each game.

2. Tulsa had lost 17 straight road games to BCS schools before winning at Notre Dame last year.

3. Blankenship raised some eyebrows at Conference USA media day when he said Kinne was the best quarterback in the state.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma 48, Tulsa 20 - Even with an unproven coach, Tulsa will make some noise in Conference USA, but upsetting the top-ranked Sooners in Norman is likely out of its reach.